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Manila Symphony Jr. Orchestra to represent PH in EU fest

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John Paul 'JP' Tanchanco

<p>I received the wonderful news from my friend Sara Gonzales of Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) that Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) has qualified to represent the Philippines in the 11th Summa Cum laude International Music Festival on July 7 to 11, 2017. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/04/14/tgl-1.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">The prestigious 2017 SCL International Music Festival will be held at the Golden Hall in Vienna, Austria</div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Being qualified means the MSJO kids--36 musicians between the ages of 9 and 21--will represent our country to compete with youth orchestras from all over the globe, as well as do concert tours in Prague, Munich, Salzburg and Vienna.  </p><p>So, I had a chat with MSO Executive Director Jeffrey Solares, who will be accompanying the team as their conductor, to know more about the festival and the kids. According to Solares, our young Filipino musicians will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. </p><p>&quot;They will be performing in the cities where Mozart, Brahms, Schubert, Beethoven, Dvorak and Strauss lived and where classical music is not a specialized pursuit but a part of ordinary life. The European tour will expose us as well to other youth groups form around the world and develop friendships, connections and build cooperative enterprise for the future,&quot; said Solares. </p><p>The trip will also take the children to prominent concert venues, the Sound of Music tour, and tutorials and workshops by the best music teachers of the region.</p><div><strong>The MSJO</strong></div><p>The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) was organized in 2014 as the youth orchestra development program of the MSO Foundation, Inc. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-8pIPUXVTqw" width="560"></iframe></figure><div><em>Mozart Divertimento in D Major by MSJO </em></div><p>Solares said their goal is to gather the best of the country’s young string musicians and equip them with the knowledge and experience of orchestral literature of various styles and genres.</p><p>Today, there are 35 members playing string instruments: violin, viola and the cello. The children regularly rehearse at a space near the MSO Academy branch in Glorietta, Makati City. </p><p>The MSJO made its debut at the Cultural Center of the Philippines – Strings Like Teen Spirit – in November 2016, and performed a series of mall shows that Christmas season. They also regularly play at Concert at the Park.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/04/14/tgl-2.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">The fun-loving MSJO kids</div></figcaption></figure></div><p>In their performances, the children delight their audience with a mix of classical pieces, original Pilipino music, and even arrangements of modern rock and pop songs.</p><p>Solares added that being qualified to be part of the prestigious competition in Europe is an honor, and would also help hone the skills of the young Pinoy talents. </p><p>&quot;The experience of performing in these venues and for the European crown will challenge us to give our best, and even now, at the preparation stage, I can feel the intensity and drive for excellence of our young musicians in anticipation for the Tour and Competition,&quot; said Solares. </p><div><strong>Summa Cum Laude Festival </strong></div><p>The Summa Cum Laude Festival is one of the most prestigious youth music festivals in the world. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dNmxezWBOSs" width="560"></iframe></figure><div><em>SCL Festival 2015 awarding ceremony with Vienna Governor dancing the Waltz</em></div><p>The 2017 festival will be held at the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. Youth orchestras from other countries that are joining the festival are from Austria, Germany, China, United States, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Spain, and Italy. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/04/14/tgl-3.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Musikverein is a concert hall in the Innere Stadt borough of Vienna, Austria. It is the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.</div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Solares noted that they will be asked to play from among a list of pre-selected pieces that would show their skill and technique. </p><p>Mozart Divertimento in D Major, Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings, Bartok Rumanian Folk Dances, and a newly commissioned piece by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab are among the songs in the repertoire that our MSJO kids will be performing.  </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oIVOrBkr-ow" width="560"></iframe></figure><div><em>Tchaikovsky&#x27;s Serenade for Strings was composed in 1880 </em></div><div><strong>Support the MSJO Children</strong> </div><p>In order to make this trip meaningful and possible, the MSJO kids need our help. </p><p>I personally love classical music as a musician and as a fan of the artistic progress. I believe that those who can support should help the MSJO. </p><p>The kids are talented and dedicated to their craft. </p><p>The experience will help these kids recognize the places and people who paved the way for eternal masterpieces and maestros.  </p><p>The trip can do wonders and inspire them to be the next master virtuoso that Pinoys and everyone around the world can be proud of.</p><p>Solares explained that they need all the help to raise funds for the trip. The MSJO members come from lower-income or middle-income families who, while able to provide for their basic needs, have no other means to fund expenses such as this European trip.</p><p>The MSJO will be conducting a series of fund-raising performances. It is also talking to potential institutional and individual sponsors. The amount that needs to be raised, covering the children’s tour package and airfare, is still not enough. </p><p>So, for those of you who want to be good citizens to Pinoy children of talent and support the growth and development of our country&#x27;s artistic soul expression, pay it forward and visit this website : https://gogetfunding.com/bring-the-manila-symphony-junior-orchestra-to-europe/</p><p>Our friends at MSO say that supporting the MSJO kids can send messages to the world about our culture and social development priorities and values of the country. They invite everyone to help our deserving children achieve their fullest potential and using music to unite and inspire us as a nation.</p><p>&quot;Filipino classical performers have a bright future in the Philippines. The pursuit of classical music is now a universal phenomenon, especially among the youth. All one needs is an entrepreneurial spirit and sense of mission. As with other arts, we cannot just depend on government support. We have to be creative and persistent in growing our audience and finding the right mix of repertoire and performance platforms,&quot; Solares added. </p><p>-----------------</p><div><em>John Paul C. Tanchanco is a travel, food, party, film and music aficionado. He is also an economist, businessman, MYX/Awit award-winning media producer and Kala guitarist.</em></div><div><em>&quot;ThaGoodLife&quot; is a blog for news.abs-cbn.com about pop culture, travel, music, entertainment, business, food, luxury, clubbing, shopping and events.</em></div><div><em>For questions, features and comments, e-mail him at jptanchanco@yahoo.com or tanchancotrimediaproductions@yahoo.com</em></div>

<p>Get to know the kids of MSJO and help fund their trip to Europe to compete at the prestigious Summa Cum Laude Festival in July.</p>

Get to know the kids of MSJO and help fund their trip to Europe to compete at the prestigious Summa Cum Laude Festival in July.